Jolie RobersonBabble On - Spaced
July 12th 2007 09:03
'Babble On' is a new category of posts, and as the name suggests, prattle on about the merits of a particular TV show.
Today's babble is on the British sitcom Spaced, written by Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson (now Jessica Hynes) and directed by Edgar Wright.
The programme follows the lives of Tim (Simon Pegg) and Daisy (Jessica Stevenson), two slacker twenty-somethings. Despite barely knowing beach other, they masquerade as a professional couple in order to gain and share a flat. While this may not be the most original concept, the amusing characters and clever execution ensure that the show is entertaining and unique.
Spaced is a product of the new style of sitcom, alongside shows such as Scrubs and Arrested Development – it was filmed with a single camera, and broadcast sans canned laughter. Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright are best known as the team behind the cult movies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and many of the same influences and techniques employed within these films are present within the show. Wright’s directorial style is very distinctive, particularly his use of rapid-fire editing of mundane tasks. Much of the humour is based in geekdom and pop-culture, particularly in the realms of comics, science fiction, games and movies. Unlike Pegg and Wright’s later projects, surrealism is a prominent feature of the programme, utilised through fantasy and drug-induced sequences.
Both Tim and Daisy are very likeable characters, despite a myriad of idiosyncrasies and personality defects. The quirky supporting characters are particularly humorous and quite endearing, although equally strange. They include Marsha (Julia Deakin), Tim and Daisy’s permanently drunken landlady; Brian (Mark Heap), an intense and eccentric artist; Mike (Nick Frost), a military aficionado and best friend to Tim; and Twist (Katy Carmicael), Daisy’s superficial best friend. All the characters are exaggerated caricatures, but their underlying truths mean that many of us can relate to them.
Spaced definitely isn’t for everyone – its relative bizarreness will be off-putting to some, as will its geeky undertones. However, for those that embrace such things, it is definitely worth a look. Spaced screens 9.30pm Sundays on ABC 2 and is repeated around 11pm on Tuesdays.
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to illustrate the show in question.
The Cast of Spaced*
The programme follows the lives of Tim (Simon Pegg) and Daisy (Jessica Stevenson), two slacker twenty-somethings. Despite barely knowing beach other, they masquerade as a professional couple in order to gain and share a flat. While this may not be the most original concept, the amusing characters and clever execution ensure that the show is entertaining and unique.
Spaced is a product of the new style of sitcom, alongside shows such as Scrubs and Arrested Development – it was filmed with a single camera, and broadcast sans canned laughter. Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright are best known as the team behind the cult movies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and many of the same influences and techniques employed within these films are present within the show. Wright’s directorial style is very distinctive, particularly his use of rapid-fire editing of mundane tasks. Much of the humour is based in geekdom and pop-culture, particularly in the realms of comics, science fiction, games and movies. Unlike Pegg and Wright’s later projects, surrealism is a prominent feature of the programme, utilised through fantasy and drug-induced sequences.
Both Tim and Daisy are very likeable characters, despite a myriad of idiosyncrasies and personality defects. The quirky supporting characters are particularly humorous and quite endearing, although equally strange. They include Marsha (Julia Deakin), Tim and Daisy’s permanently drunken landlady; Brian (Mark Heap), an intense and eccentric artist; Mike (Nick Frost), a military aficionado and best friend to Tim; and Twist (Katy Carmicael), Daisy’s superficial best friend. All the characters are exaggerated caricatures, but their underlying truths mean that many of us can relate to them.
Spaced definitely isn’t for everyone – its relative bizarreness will be off-putting to some, as will its geeky undertones. However, for those that embrace such things, it is definitely worth a look. Spaced screens 9.30pm Sundays on ABC 2 and is repeated around 11pm on Tuesdays.
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing to illustrate the show in question.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great introduction Nina.
Comment by Nina
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
I have never seen this...and actually have never heard of it. It sounds good though!...I love 'Scrubs' and 'Arrested Development'.
I'll b sure to tune in if not on Sundays. the on Tuesdays.
I hope you're well hon...
Dusk
Comment by Nina
I'm looking forward to my internet being back at its normal speed, because I'm curious as to your most recent post. Unfortunately, at the moment, the link won't load for me and times out.
I hope you are also well, and that you aren't too flat out...
Nina